17, 000 Hrs. Designing Kitchens Taught Me This

Work with me - www.mtkd.ca
If you want a successful outcome to your kitchen renovation or kitchen design for a new home, lean into what I teach in this video. Simple yet profound concepts that completely changed the way I approach the craft of designing functional stylish spaces.
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[@Brineytoes]

There is also future proofing. What will you be like at 70 or 80? No way can I use the lower cabinet shelving anymore. I have lost 4 inches in height due to osteoporosis and I cannot reach the top shelf in my upper cabinets. If I sit or kneel on the floor, I cannot get up to stand. I would love two long open shelves above, large drawer units below, and a small appliance closet for my countertop appliances. I need a walk-in pantry, also. I no longer feel safe climbing on a step ladder to reach my things. After close to 70,000 hours in various kitchen as an avid cook and canner, I have spent countless hours dreaming of my ideal kitchen. We are an aging nation with tens of thousands of seniors needing new kitchens due to handicaps and who are rapidly developing macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy among other visual ailments. Color is very important, but contrast is even more important for those problems. One can put up with most anything when they are young, but seniors and the handicapped absolutely need a great kitchen designer!

[@5610winston]

Pull-down uppers are an option. I'm considering that option. As for bending down, I saw a display with a wall convection oven set underneath a gas cooktop, a design I favored until I tried it and found that it was impossible for be to rise empty-handed, don't even think of it with a twelve-pound turkey or a pot roast in a cast-iron Dutch oven. I'm setting one cabinet on a 12-inch riser for the wall oven, a storage drawer below and capping it with a countertop at about 48 inches, ideal for a toaster or toaster oven and a coffee-maker if that is your desire. I'm including a warming/proofing drawer under the cooktop so warm food won't be going onto cold plates, and to keep prepared foods warm for service. My pantry will be a pull-out at one end of a countertop run leaving about 111 to 114 inches of countertop (to include the double-bowl sink) and a 30-inch stretch of countertop with no cabinet underneath allowing the cook to be seated at the counter while prepping, or to have a place to sit and eat. That countertop will be supported by a skeleton frame attached to the wall.

[@Chelleme]

And another thought is resale. As we get older the thought of downsizing sounds more and more appealing.

[@1packatak]

You can put pull out shelves in your lower cabinets. I actually did it when I redid my master bath. The linen closet has all pullout shelves in the lower half with taller backs so pill bottles and other stuff can’t fall behind when I pull the shelves out. And we also put them on soft close glides

[@margaretmarsh4611]

Many years ago when in my teens, l did a course at college for home economics. One of the topics was kitchen design. The task sounds simple , how to boil an egg. The process started with the purchase, storage, the boiling including finding the pan,the water, the cooker , even the plate,egg cup ,teaspoon ,salt pepper,slice of toast, butter and knife for spreading. The cup of tea or coffee and the place to eat and drink the items. More than 50 years have passed since that day in class, granted the tasks we do in the kitchen may change, but the basic idea is still a good one to remember when planning.

[@zenobiahunt2353]

I love listening to your videos as I go through my kitchen renovations

[@MTKDofficial]

Hey! Thanks for listening, I hope it's helpful.

[@WheresMyKeysAt]

I should find a painting of a panda in the bathtub and hang it up in our living room. And when the wife asks why there is a painting of a panda in a bathtub on the wall of our living room I can say "Mark from KZbin has one so I want one." I'm sure that'll be a reason she can't argue with

[@MTKDofficial]

hahaha. And I was going to get rid of those pictures.

[@darlene19668]

So sweet is the melody of your wisdom, the harmony of your talent, the lyrics of your experience, the voice of your guidance....never pushy, always leading gently with ideas that sooth the mind at a time when decisions can be overwhelming...so much good in this one video...you GEAUX MR MARK...👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻that's Cajun for good job😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻thumbs up all day everyday Have great weekend with your Family 🎉

[@darlenebergantzel1534]

Your channel has been so valuable to me in making decisions for my kitchen renovation. The design was finalized this week and demo is scheduled for Nov 8. Can’t wait.

[@MTKDofficial]

So glad my content's been helpful!

[@TMB62]

This was fantastic. Thanks Mark this helps with organizing my already renovated kitchen as well. ❤

[@bettypang4971]

Ooh…Mr. Mark is even more artistic in designs as well as being experienced in trade. It was only months ago that Mr. Mark lamented of his wanting in interior design flairs…but wow! He is now talking about temperatures of colours 🤨👍👍👍😍 most excellent! 🎉

[@MTKDofficial]

I still have a ways to go with interior design! lol

[@busybry9813]

From Belleville Ontario and with the winters we decided to go with coastal look with light blue bottom cabinets with pine wood upper cabinets and barn side vinyl flooring. to us it will be like coming in from a long cold winter 🥶 day to a warm bright feeling like your at beach house as the main floor will be open concept

[@prissilou]

Well, I didn't have a designer, just knew what I wanted and didn't want. Didn't change the floor plan, so that helped. I guess my biggest design strategy was, just throw more cabinets at it. Anyway we'll see. It's in progress now, and either it will work out, or I'll be throwing myself off a bridge. I have done this before, but on a much smaller scale. Wish me luck, I'll need it.

[@MTKDofficial]

lol. Well let's hope it doesn't come to the bridge option.

[@kimherben7866]

@@MTKDofficial Amen!

[@domenicamassaro8221]

I'm eating a few roasted chestnuts, I have a strudel in the oven cooking, my herbal tea is ready and I am watching your fabulous contents. Thank you Mark.

[@MTKDofficial]

Thanks for making my content a part of your day!

[@domenicamassaro8221]

@@MTKDofficial your contents are interesting, very down to earth. It is not entertainment.

[@ryansoo4000]

I think another major topic to consider in any new build or renovation is "assumptions". For example, the assumption that you "need" a separate formal dining room (that only gets used for 3 hours a year at Christmas and Thanksgiving) or you need a breakfast nook with a table and chairs AND a big island with counter seating. Too many people design or install multiple functions where one would do, or they install a single item or feature that only gets used once in a blue moon. I think the best strategy is to ask yourself "just because everyone else has that, do I really need it, or want it"?

[@MTKDofficial]

Excellent insight!

[@jenniferlawrence1372]

And what's so frustrating is when designers (or builders) give you two of something, but neither is big enough. A "formal" dining room just large enough for a table and chairs, and also a breakfast nook that's in the way of the door to the patio. It's like builders never actually live in a house.

[@Geronimo2Fly]

The problem is, for that big table that you only use at Thanksgiving and Christmas, when those holidays roll around and you DON'T have that table, it's a real pain. I had to buy folding tables and put everyone in my living room, which is tedious, looks ridiculous, and ruins the traffic flow in the living room (which in my house is basically the entire shared space). For my new kitchen, I'm making room for a big table even if I only use it twice per year, since I want it to be there when I need it. I agree though that island seating AND a breakfast nook is a bit redundant. I'd only do that if I had a ton of room and a big budget.

[@valerieconner1204]

This was an excellent video. For the past few years I've been working on a plan for remodeling my kitchen. After a great deal of thought and research, I've come up with a detailed plan that addresses all your suggestions, but how much easier that would have been if I had seen your video first! I also appreciate that you suggest allowing people to have their kitchen pecadillos. How many spoon rests does a person need, anyway, when a saucer would do the job? But a saucer won't make me smile every time I see it.

[@natashabailey6091]

Great video Mark!!!🤗😁

[@mariagomes9882]

Efficiency is key!!!!

[@ElsaHailu-id3ub]

I learned a lot. Thank you. You are so good.

[@Trenchant468]

I appreciate the emphasis on individual expression and including what works for you and makes you happy. IKEA just (incorrectly) mapped a potential plan for me. I saw that panel go up against the only exposed side of my fridge, and thought, “wait, where will I hang my important stuff, like prescriptions, and my magnetic furry lion gift, and my post-it dispenser? Do I have to have a sterile kitchen without my spices out, like my sister?” I told them I could have only a 10 in pantry or it would block my view. Using only what they have they made it 15 and shallow and dropped it back, so then I’d have it sunk behind a small eating surface I wanted. Huh? (But it was their tall pantry option, so in it went).

[@pman2916]

Nailed it Mark!

[@jenniferlawrence1372]

Mark, I bet you've already watched it, but if you haven't a real delight is "A Step Saving Kitchen, 1949". It's on the KZbin channel "US National Archives". I watch it ever few months just for pleasure. Would love to see a version updated for modern appliances and practices.

[@MTKDofficial]

Yeah cool video. I did a reaction to it on the channel, but your idea is better. I'll have to think more about that. thanks.

[@lazygardens]

So many Pinterest Perfect, Instagrammable kitchens are total failures as a work space. If you have a good work flow and traffic pattern, everything else will fall into place.

[@georgemohr7532]

I have a question that probably should have been asked on you video about soapstone counter tops. When it comes to quartz counter tops, I am assuming that you agree that they should be sealed. Is there a particular sealing products that you feel works better than the other options. I am also concerned about VOC's if you would please take that into consideration with your answer.

[@MTKDofficial]

Hey George! Quartz shouldn't need to be sealed. It is manufactured to be non-porous. Unless you are thinking of Quartzite, which is a granite stone. In that case, yes it would need sealing. However, depending on where this comes from it may be pre-sealed at the fabrication plant. As far as a product goes, I am not overly familiar with a lot of them and am unsure of VOC's when it comes to their application. This is a great thing to research and include in future content though.

[@connieborg6471]

❤❤

[@domenicamassaro8221]

I think that the aestethic of the kitchen has to be similar to the rest of the home, that is, in the end, espression of a personal style.

[@chefjamesmacinnis]

As a professional chef who has an over the range microwave at home, and yes, it even vents outside. I can tell you it sucks. I can not cook without setting off the smoke detector.

[@prissilou]

BTW, I'm not trying to rip a kitchen to the studs and redesign, so thats in my favor. Right now, I'm agonizing over black grout, so I guess if thats the worst of it, I'll be OK

[@davidgabrie1302]

Because I will be spending tens of thousands of dollars on the remodel, I intend to make it desirable for future buyers and want to make it attractive to them and myself. Therefore I cannot design it to my whims, because I am only doing this once.

[@stshack]

As a fellow Canadian I love the video but, you spelt colour/ colour 😢

[@MTKDofficial]

I appreciate the comment and sorry for the spelling snafu. lol

[@toniblackmore3016]

As an Aussie living in the USA I immediately feel at home when I see colour spelled correctly😆

[@tarajoyce3598]

Mom? Is that you?

[@gabudabi]

You look like the guy from Mr D

[@MTKDofficial]

uhhh. which guy from Mr. D?...not Jerry D?

[@longtimelo]

#1. Never install barn doors like the one behind this guy.

[@MTKDofficial]

Unless you like barn doors. And then go ahead and install the barn doors like behind this guy!

[@longtimelo]

@@MTKDofficial Eh, they are dated and impractical.

[@kimherben7866]

@@longtimelo 25 years ago, I had my custom builder tell me that "Nobody uses pocket doors", but I told him I needed two - 1 for my Laundry room (there is a 4-way intersection there) and 1 for my walk-in pantry. He found some to install and we have had these doors in proper working order for all of this time. Totally and completely practical for our needs and wants.

[@katiedotson704]

@@longtimeloAT 72, I am outdated and impractical. There are a few, (admittedly, precious few) people that still like me. I am no longer aesthetically pleasing or fashionable. A new coat of paint will no longer hide my flaws, and broken or malfunctioning hardware isn't replaceable. I am grateful for the handful of people that find my presence suits them, and I dare say that 1 or 2 of them would have only two words for anyone that told them to get rid of me.